[rpvitiello]

A C1 car for Merc/Lincoln Rebadge the Euro focus?

OK the AMERICAN ford focus is based on the C170 platform. This is fords stripped econo box, as well as there premium compact. Prices range from $12k (stripped ZX3 after rebate) to $24k (fully loaded euro appearance focus SVT)

Since Americans have a problem with the idea that once CAR or even one brand can have a stripped base model, and a Premium version, Why not Ship over about 10,000 C1 Europe spec foci, re-badge them with a new name, and sell them under Lincoln or Mercury brand. This "new car" which is just a euro market focus, would be fords premium compact car. It would sell well equipped for around $25k. It would still be less than the Volvo S40 that is expected to start around 25k. A Comparable cars would be the Acura TSX. All this is, is a Re-badge and slightly repackaged Euro market Honda Accord. So if this strategy can work for Honda why not for ford?
The packaging doesn't have to be an EXACT copy of how It is in Europe. I would say put the biggest engine available in this (besides the RS), make HP around 200. Have features like auto temp control, Stability control, Side impact and curtain airbags and heated seats, mirrors, and windscreen. (very similar packaging to a TSX)

No this would NOT be an all out performance focus, It would just be a relatively quick, nice compact car. It may be possible to make a performance version of this "new car" one of the C1 for NA but that may or may not happen.

Pricing

2004 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan w/Navigation System (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
__________________________________MSRP__Invoice_TMV
Destination Charge__________________$500____$500____$500
Total______________________________$28,990_$26,467_$28,990

The current as closely equipped to a TSX as possible
2004 Ford Focus SVT 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
__________________________________MSRP_Invoice__TMV
European Appearance Package info_____$3,410__$3,035__$3,410
Destination Charge__________________$545____$545___$545
Total_____________________________$23,045__$21,373 $23,095

or
2003 Ford Focus ZTS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
____________________________________________MSRP__Invoice_TMV
ABS w/AdvanceTrac info_______________________$1,625__$1,447__$1,483
4-Speed Automatic Transmission w/Overdrive info___$815___$725____$743
Leather Seating Surfaces info_____________________$695___$619____$635
Power Moonroof info___________________________$595____$530___$543
552 Antilock Braking System info_________________$400____$356___$365
Side Airbags info______________________________$350____$312___$320
6-Disc CD Player Upgrade for Audiophile System info $280 ___$249___$255
Weather Package info __________________________$150____$134___$137
Perimeter Alarm info____________________________$125____$112___$115

Destination Charge______________________________$545 $545 $545
Total_________________________________________$21,320 $19,750 $20,043

 

[spike]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

i'd rather pay 25K for a srt killer than an euro/luxury focus.

 

[Hi-Risk]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

No way I'd pay $25k for a POS Focus.

 

[rpvitiello]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

i'd rather pay 25K for a srt killer than an euro/luxury focus.

Euro focus supports AWD, the US one dose not.

No way I'd pay $25k for a POS Focus.

Neither would I, but I would pay $25k for a nice, well made, German focus with lots of power, AWD, and nice features stock.


Oh and obviously the car would have a different name if it was under Linc/Mer, since just relating a $25k car to a focus in the US would make noone want to buy it, since the focus is SUCH a horrible car.

Oh it always makes me laugh how everyone on here complains how the Euro focus gets this, and gets that, but noone is willing to PAY for any of these things. If a focus cost's more than $14k people bitch it's too much $. In Europe the focus STARTS at around $18k and can easily hit $30k in price. There WILLING to PAY more than 2x as much for a car than we are here in the US, so of course its going to have better stuff in it! Do people honestly expect ford to GIVE these cars away? If people were willing to spend the money on these cars don't you think ford would bring it here? Every time something is mentioned about a Euro spec focus everyone gets all excited, the second you mention price everyone vanishes. So people should stop complaining when ford turns the focus into the next escort, that's what you all asked for, a car for as cheep as possible. Well people u get what u pay for.

 

[Hi-Risk]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

i'd rather pay 25K for a srt killer than an euro/luxury focus.

Euro focus supports AWD, the US one dose not.

No way I'd pay $25k for a POS Focus.

Neither would I, but I would pay $25k for a nice, well made, German focus with lots of power, AWD, and nice features stock.


Oh and obviously the car would have a different name if it was under Linc/Mer, since just relating a $25k car to a focus in the US would make noone want to buy it, since the focus is SUCH a horrible car.

$25k for just a European Focus is just not worth it.

Turbo, AWD, etc., to compete with the R32, well maybe. Just the AWD thing seems far fetched. From what I know, there is no production European Focus that has AWD.

IMHO, even a Focus RS for around $28k-$30k isn't even worth it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Focus for $12k (regular) to $19k (SVT Focus) is okay.

For a just a regular Euro Focus for $25k...the car is a POS due to other vehicles that are on the market for the same price. Those other vehicles are just better, IMHO.

 

[rpvitiello]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

IMHO, even a Focus RS for around $28k-$30k isn't even worth it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Focus for $12k (regular) to $19k (SVT Focus) is okay.

For a just a regular Euro Focus for $25k...the car is a POS due to other vehicles that are on the market for the same price. Those other vehicles are just better, IMHO.

OK so what is better for the same price $?
And maybe I should clarify I'm not talking about a STARTING price of $25k I'm talking about a fairly well equipped focus. And no this isn't necessary a performance version of the car. Not everyone wants that. Sure u can go buy a car like a SRT-4 or even an Evo and whips most cars, but some people don't want an all out race car. I like features like a GPS navigation system, auto temp control etc. Just because its not something you would buy doesn't make it worthless.

Also a mini may be fair comparison because it is a "premium" small car

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)
MSRP Invoice__________MSRP Invoice TMV
National Base Price_________________________________$19,449 $17,587 $19,449

Optional Equipment_________________________________$8,660 $7,795 $8,656
609 Navigation System info___________________________$1,700 $1,530 $1,699
ZPP Combo #1: Premium Package info___________________$1,300 $1,170 $1,299
-- Leather Upholstery info_____________________________$1,300 $1,170 $1,299
ZSP Combo #2: Sport Package w/ All-Season Tires info______$1,250 $1,125 $1,249
522 Xenon Headlights info____________________________$550___$495___$550
674 Harman Kardon Audio System info__________________$550___$495___$550
210 Dynamic Stability Control info______________________$500___$450___$500
-- Metallic Paint info $400 $360 $400
508 Park Distance Control info__________________________$350___$315___$350
494 Heated Seats info________________________________$270___$245___$270
550 On Board Computer info___________________________$200___$180___$200
432 Rain-sensing Windshield Wipers info________________$150___$135___$150
520 Fog Lamps info__________________________________$140___$125___$140

Destination Charge___________________________________$550___$550___$550
Total________________________________________________$28,659 $25,932 $28,646

 

[Hi-Risk]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

Ooh don't make me post what the dealerships did to make a Focus SVT $25k.

 

[spike]

Re: What about a Mercury/Lincoln C1 focus?

Euro focus supports AWD, the US one dose not.

i don't believe the focus needs AWD to dispatch the SRT. in my opinion all the SVT focus needs to dispatch an SRT at the track is an FI'd 2.3 duratech (while keeping the MTX for cost reasons) and a LSD. the SVTF has the handling and brakes to easily compete with it. all it's lacking is the engine (but that can be said for just about every other sport compact in the under 25K segment).